Washington Tightens Its Grip on New York, Testing the City as a Launchpad for its National Agenda
New York braces for a long and bitter fight as the federal government ramps up attack on the city’s laws and economy.
Just a few weeks in, the new federal administration has launched multiple initiatives directly, and almost exclusively, challenging New York City.
Washington has moved steadfast to dismantle the city’s pro-immigrant protections, end its congestion pricing program, and pull back millions in federal aid.
Several city and state officials say these actions are politically motivated punishment to reassert control over its most defiant urban opponent.
“This is an attack on our sovereign identity, our independence from Washington,” said Governor Kathy Hochul, reacting to the administration’s abrupt move to end congestion pricing. “We are not subservient to a king or anyone else out of Washington.”
Perhaps no battle had been as aggressive, or as personal, as Trump’s assault on New York’s pro-immigrant laws.
The Department of Justice (DOJ) recently sued the state to overturn its Green Light Law, which allows undocumented immigrants to obtain driver’s licenses and restricts federal access to state motor vehicle records.
Recently appointed Attorney General, Pam Bondi, made it clear that the administration sees New York as the ultimate test case for its broader immigration crackdown.
“New York has chosen to prioritize illegal aliens over American citizens,” said Bondi in announcing the lawsuit. “It stops. It stops today.”
New York Attorney General Letitia James fired back, calling the lawsuit an unconstitutional overreach and vowing to fight it in court.
“Our state laws, including the Green Light Law, protect the rights of all New Yorkers and keep our communities safe,” said James in a statement. “I am prepared to defend our laws, just as I always have.”
The immigration battle not being enough, the Trump administration has also torpedoed New York City’s congestion pricing program, a major initiative aimed at reducing traffic and funding public transit.
The plan, which had launched in early January, charged drivers entering Manhattan’s central business district. It was a measure designed to cut gridlock, curb pollution, and generate $15 billion for the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA).
On February 8, Department of Transportation Secretary, Sean Duffy, revoked the program’s federal approval, effectively shutting it down overnight.
“New York State’s congestion pricing plan is a slap in the face to working-class Americans and small business owners,” said Duffy. “The toll program leaves drivers without any free highway alternative and takes more money from working people to pay for a transit system and not highways.”
The decision infuriated city and state officials, who accused Washington of killing the program purely to score political points.
“The federal government cannot unilaterally terminate a program once it’s begun,” said MTA Chairman Janno Lieber, whose agency is now scrambling to recover billions in lost funding.
The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) has immediately filed a lawsuit to challenge the administration’s action, aiming to keep the congestion pricing program operational during the legal proceedings.
Beyond policy disputes, Trump’s cabinet has implemented measures directly impacting New York City’s economy.
The administration’s new Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), led by Elon Musk, has already fired thousands of federal employees, including many who are New York City residents.
Additionally, the agency pulled $80.5 million in FEMA funds that had already been approved for migrant housing and emergency relief.
With lawsuits and tensions escalating, New York City is preparing for a full-on legal and political war against Washington’s overreach.
Attorney General Letitia James, Governor Kathy Hochul, and other city officials have all vowed to challenge Washington at every turn, defying Washington’s agenda.
With the White House determined to exert federal control over the city and state, New York’s leadership seems equally determined to resist. Just a month into the new administration the battle for New York character and future is just beginning.